Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 25 May 2026 13:45, UK

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Pape Sarr deserves to miss Tottenham Hotspur‘s first game of the 2026-27 season after “cheating” against Everton.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that more must be done to deter Premier League players from attempting acts of simulation.

With Spurs in search of another goal to secure all three points on Sunday, 24 May, the substitute midfielder threw himself to the floor inside the penalty area, hoping to win a key spot-kick.

Clearly not buying the attempt, Michael Oliver immediately brandished a yellow card to Sarr, and while Tottenham eventually won 1-0, Hackett believes that his actions should have further consequences.

Michael Oliver deserves applause, but Pape Sarr needs more punishment

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “There are several routes, aren’t there? First of all, let’s compliment Michael Oliver for taking action on it. 

“If referees did it consistently, when they were able to detect it, then I think it would reduce the incidence of players cheating. I’m quite clear about that. 

“I still believe that there is another route, and I think to get that consistency, which is the important bit, let’s penalise everybody in a consistent manner. It is cheating.

“The only way you can do that is with a review panel. They’ve already got the KMI Panel. Let that same panel judge these acts of simulation and have the power through the disciplinary process to issue a one-match ban.  

“There’s weak detection and action on the field of play. The punishment that applies is a complete waste of time. It’s not a deterrent at all, a yellow card.”

Tottenham’s No.29 may never play in North London again

Sarr has certainly slipped down the pecking order in North London, and under Roberto De Zerbi, he has rarely been given the chance to prove himself, which is why he may have gone to ground so easily.

Clubs are keeping tabs on the player’s situation, though, and Football Insider understands that Bayern Munich are keen on bringing Sarr in to join Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena this summer.

That would be quite the jump from Hotspur Way to the Bundesliga giants, but it just goes to show how talented the midfielder really is. It also raises a lot of questions about his current struggles.

He started zero games during De Zerbi’s first seven games in charge, and he may never feature for the Lilywhites again, especially if Bayern come knocking for his signature in the coming weeks.